p. 16 | The Oklahoma Camp-Meeting by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 21, 1911

The Oklahoma Camp-Meeting

By G. B. Thompson

THE annual conference and camp-meeting of the Oklahoma Conference was held in Enid, August 27 to September 3. The location of the camp was all that could be desired, being conveniently near the city, and reached by excellent street-car service. There was also an abundance of pure water. We were blessed with fine weather during the entire meeting. The city of Enid made liberal donations toward defraying the expenses of the meeting, though the attendance from the city was not large.

On account of drought and consequent shortage in crops, there were not so many of our people present as there have been in former years. However, it was a large meeting, there being about eight hundred encamped on the ground, many of whom were Germans.

The business of the conference was transacted with a good degree of unity. The officers chosen for the coming year were about the same as those of the past year. Elder David Voth was unanimously reelected president.

The reports rendered showed progress in the various departments. Those selling our publications have met with excellent success. Orders were taken for nearly $30,000 worth of books during the year. The financial reports showed a gain. The tithe for the past year was $27,287.25, an increase over the previous year of $2,895.07. The conference voted to give a portion of its tithe in the future to missions, on the basis of the recommendation passed at the recent council in Germany, which would be twenty-two per cent for the coming year, provided the tithe is equal to that of the past year. It was also voted to raise a sum equal to fifteen cents a week per member for the work in the regions beyond. During the past year $9,775.57 was raised by the ten-cent-a-week plan. The Sabbath-school contributions increased $657.41 over the previous year. Donations were also made to the $300,000 Fund and to the Clinton German Seminary.

A number of revival services were held during the meeting. The Lord seemed to lead in this direction. At some of the evening services a call was made for those to come forward who desired a better experience and deliverance from the bondage of wrong habits. Many found special help from the Lord, and rejoiced anew in the forgiveness of their sins. The last Sabbath of the meeting was marked with much of the blessing of the Lord. At the forenoon service a large number sought the Lord, some for the first time. In the afternoon Brother Bernard Voth was ordained to the sacred work of the gospel ministry, and the Lord's Spirit was present on this occasion in a very special manner. Two baptisms were held during the meeting, and forty-two persons followed their Lord in this sacred rite. Some others will be baptized in their home churches.

Elders G. F. Watson, O. A. Olsen, H. Shultz, G. F. Haffner, W. W. Eastman, T. M. French, and E. E. Farnsworth, and the writer attended the meeting, sharing with the local laborers its burdens and blessings. A meeting of the union conference committee called a number of other laborers in for a short time.

Oklahoma has grown to be a strong conference. It has great resources. The State has much wealth. Liberal donations should come from this field for the extension of the work abroad. Here also are many young people of both the American and the German nationality who should be developed into strong workers for God. My prayer is that the abundant resources of this large field may be properly husbanded, and that great growth and prosperity will mark the work of the coming year. Personally, I very much enjoyed this meeting, and am encouraged to believe that God will prosper the work here in the future. G. B. Thompson.